Dunnville man dedicates his life to helping veterans in need

Brent O’Connor

By Mike Renzella

The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—There is no question that when a person signs up for service they are going to face difficult situations in the line of duty. It is crucial that there is a support system in place for these people when they return home from service. That is where people like Brent O’Connor come in.

O’Connor is the Veteran Service Officer at the Dunnville Legion. He began his tenure with the Royal Canadian Legion in Smithville, where he spent 12 years on the executive board and three terms as their president. When O’Connor met and fell in love with his wife, they decided to move to Dunnville, where he quickly became involved in the local chapter.

O’Connor explains how he first became invested in the legion: “I was looking for a quiet place to have a beer. I found the Legion, got talking with the local veterans. I got more involved with them, listening to their stories, (and) got more involved with the legion itself.”

“You have to sit and listen to these gentlemen. Listen to what they went through and take a look at what you have today compared to what they had, and why they did it. This is why we have the freedom we have today.”

O’Connor took those conversations to heart and made a decision that he would dedicate himself to doing everything he could to help local veterans. “If there is a veteran in need, I act as a first responder to them,” said O’Connor. “If a veteran calls up in need, whether that be glasses, teeth, walkers or canes, whatever. We support that; we put the money out towards that. A name is never given, it is always private.”